Report: Commanders DT's injury leads to 'worst possible outcome'

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Report: Commanders suffer massive loss as star DT's injury leads to 'worst possible outcome'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/14/24

The Washington Commanders (4-2) saw their four-game winning streak snapped in their 30-23 Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Now, they'll reportedly be without one of the team's best defenders for the rest of the season.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero first reported on Monday afternoon that star defensive tackle Jonathan Allen's pectoral injury suffered on Sunday would possibly lead to season-ending surgery. ESPN's John Keim confirmed the news shortly afterward.

#Commanders standout DT Jonathan Allen is feared to have suffered a significant pectoral injury that will require season-ending surgery, per sources.

Allen is getting a second opinion. It would be a huge loss for Washington, which sits atop the NFC East at 4-2. pic.twitter.com/3uvSxByhC3
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 14, 2024

DT Jon Allen tore his left pec and is done for the year, source confirms @TomPelissero report. Was optimism last night that it wasn't bad; got an MRI today and showed the worst possible outcome for Allen.
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 14, 2024

The Commanders rank 22nd in the NFL in total defense (24.2 points allowed per game), but after giving up more than 30 points in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Week 3 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, the unit had shown improvement in Weeks 4 and 5.

Washington cruised past the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns in the two contests — 42-14 and 34-13, respectively — and surrendered just 223 passing yards in the pair of wins combined.

Facing MVP candidates in quarterback Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry and the red-hot Ravens, though, the Commanders allowed a season-high 484 yards of offense, including 308 through the air and 176 on the ground.

Washington allowed a season-high 13 plays that gained 15 or more yards vs. the Ravens. On those plays, Baltimore gained 311 yards.
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 14, 2024

Allen played 37 snaps in the defeat, recording two tackles. He's played and started all six games this season and is second on the team in quarterback hits (six).

Allen has spent his entire career in the nation's capital despite making his interest in a potential trade known last winter.

The former 17th overall pick made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2021 and 2022 and led Washington in quarterback hits (19) last season while finishing second in sacks (5.5) and tied for second in tackles for loss (10).

The Jayden Daniels-led offense ranks tied for second in the league in scoring (29.7 points per game), but the loss of Allen on defense is massive and could impact the Commanders' pursuit of their first winning season since 2016.

More must-reads: